Planograpii co



E. SCHNEIDER.

LIGHT ARIILLERY GUN.

APPLICATION FILED $53.11. 19I5.

1 ,3 1 87 8 Patented July 22, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

E. SCHNEIDER.

LIGHT ARTILLEBY GUN.

APPLICATION man FEB.11,1916.

" Patented July 22, 1919..

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

11v ,H H VT *V+ i' g 1 L w .J K '-i l.

i i l J lgl ;Q i @mi g i i I Gi g l ik i I E. SCHNEIDER.

LIGHT ARTILLERY GUN.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. II, I9I6 Patented July 22, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE COLUMBIA PLANoeR/Ir'n co. WASHINGTON. D. C.

E. SCHNEIDER.

LIGHT ARTILLERY GUN. APPLICATION FILED FEB. II, 1916. 193101,87 8Patented July 22, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

THB COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPM co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

E. SCHNEIDER.

LIGHT ARTILLERYY GUN. APPLlATloN FILED 1513.11. 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

rHE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTCN, n. 1..

'Patented July 22, 1919. Y

immun sraans rnTENT onirica.

EUG-NE SCHNEIDER, 0F LE CREUZOT, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO SCHNEIDER & CIE.,OF PARIS, FRANCE, A LIMITED JOINT-STOCK COMPANY 0F FRANCE.

LIGHT-ARTILLERY GUN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 22, 1919.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EUGNE SCHNEIDER, a citizen of the Republic ofFrance, residing at Le Creuzot, France, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in or Relating to Light-Artillery Guns, which is fully setforth in the following specification.

This invention has for its object to provide an improved piece of lightartillery so constructed as to be capable of being easily carried bytroops in the assault, and of being readily moved and handled in theline trenches and in the communicating trenches.

One of the characteristic features of the improved piece of artillery isthat the gun barrel or its cradle has formed in one piece with it orsuitably fixed to it a rear appendix by means of which it is pivotedthrough the medium of a universal joint, such as a ball and socketjoint, to an anchoring device, such as a platform or table provided witha spade; the elevation and training of the gun being effected bydirectly turning the gun barrel or its cradle aboutvthe said ball andsocket joint on the anchoring device.

The supporting of the forward part of the gun barrel may be effected byvarious means, such as for instance extensible, telescopic or othersupports, or by straight racks or curved racks having their geometricalcenter in the ball and socket joint by which the gun barrel is connectedto the anchoring device, the gun barrel being adapted to be locked inits various positions of elevation by means of catches or teeth.

According to the invention the forward support consists preferably of atrain of wheels, and the turning of the gun barrel about the ball andsocket joint is effected by longitudinal and transverse displacements ofthe gun carriage axle relatively to the gun barrel, and of the gunbarrel relatively to the said axle.

Various embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of examplein the accompanying drawings in which Figures l to'G show oneembodiment.

Fig. l is a side elevation` partly in section along the axis of the gunin ring position'.-

Fig. 2 is a corresponding plan.'

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line III- III of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the gun in position for transport.

Fig. 5 is a section of a detail on the line V-V of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 6 is a part side elevation showing the gun in position for firingat very low angles of elevation. v

Figs. 7 and 8 are vertical cross sections illustrating twomodifications.

Figs. 9 and l0 are side elevations of another modiication showing thegun in three different positions of elevation. f

Figs. l1 and 12 are respectively a side elevation in partial section anda plan of a further modification of the invention.

In all these figures, A is the gun barrel which is provided according tothe invention, as a continuation to the rear of its breech, with anappendix B by means of which it is pivoted by a ball and socket joint Cto a suitable anchoring device such as a spade platform D.

In the examples shown, the appendix B is assumed to -be carried by thegun barrel, but it may equally well be carried by the cradle in whichthe gun barrel is arranged to recoil in the usual manner and carry withit one of the elements of the recoil brake. Although the appendix B isshown as being formed in one piece with the gun barrel, it mayeouallywell be afhxed to or assembled with the latter by means of anysuitable locking devices that will allow of taking the gun to pieces fortransport of the parts separately. j

In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 6the ball and socket joint C isitself pivoted by means'of a longitudinal pivot pin c in a block b whichforms the rear end of the appendix B. The ball and socket joint isfurther mounted on a transverse pivot pin d carried by thespade-platform D, this mounting comprising two truncated conicalrecesses in the ball that allow a limited transverse movement of theball on the pivot pin CZ. The ball, is engaged with a slide block D1provided with a tail Z1 constructed as out, which can. be moved along along loef 'wheels wardly, it can be brought into the position shown inFig. 4, and locked in this position. by means of a pin inserted in thelugs b1 and Z2 which are provided respectively on the block b and theplatform D. The bar Ffcan then serve as a push bar for transportpurposes.

The appendix B is preferably so constructed as to act as a chargingguide or chute either directly by its shape Y or` by means of a suitablyshaped inner plate B1 xed to the sides of the appendix proper.

The forward support of the gun barrel consists in the examples shown inFigs. lto 10, of a train of wheels, that is to say, of a gun carriageaxle G with two wheels I-I, H

In the examples shown in Figs. 1 to 6, and in Figs. 7 and S, theelevation of the gun barrel as a result of the turning of the ball andsocket joint C in the anchoring device D, is eected by a longitudinaldisplacement of the forward support relatively to the gun barrel, whilethe' training of the gun barrel is eiected by sliding the latter alongthe axle. For this purpose the axle G is formed with a longitudinalgroove g (Figs. 2 and 8),in which there is adapted to slide by means ofa corresponding tenon a member such as a pinion I meshing with acorresponding rack c formed on the underside of the gun barrel or of itscradle (Figs. 1 to 6). A longitudinal displacement of. the train' of forthe purpose of elevating the gun is produced by rotating the axle G andthe pinion I thereon by means of operating handwh'eels J which are fixedon the said axle. The pinion rolls over the rack, where by the supportcan be brought into the de sired position, for instance into the extremeposition of greatest elevation indicated in dot and dash lines inFig. 1. The gun barrelcan then be fixed in the desired position, forinstance by means of the device shown, consisting of a U-shaped clampingmember I journaled with its arms on the axle G. These arms inclose thepinion I between them. Inner packing pieces on the said arms act ascheeks bearing against the surfaces of the gun barrel. The crosspiecelof the clamping member is formed as a nut in whichworks a screw Lcarrying a clamping jaw L1 on its end.

v When it is desired to be able to elevate the gun barrel through verylow angles the gun barrel is provided with a second rack al.

formed on .be produced by rollingthepinion I over the rack al.

Coarse training is'el'ected by simply pushsing the vgun barreltransversely along the `axle G, the ne training being obtained byoperating the ratchet mechanism E-e.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7 the gun ybarrel has-tworibs a, al,provided in substitution for the racks shown in Figs. 1 to 6; they forma rolling track for a roller I adaptedto rotate on-the axle, the gunbeing locked inthe desired position'of elevation lby means cfaclampingapparatusl K--L-L1 orfany other suitable device.

fInthe modification shown in Fig. 8 the train of wheels comprises anaxle G carrying av pinion I which can move over a single lower rack a,lwhich axle is itself adjustable kvertically with relation to the WheelsI-I. The axle G is journaled at each end in a bearing M iwhich can slidein a guide N1 a hollow journal N on which the hub of the wheel can turn.T he bearing M can be raised or lowered in its guide by means of a screwO working in the said guide. Fo'r transport the axis of the axle G isbrought in linewith the axes of the hollow journals 1I, and the keys fm,of the hand- `wheels J are removed, so that then the journals can bemounted on the axle.

' In the modification shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the forward support of thegunbarrel consists also of a train of wheels li-H G carrying on its axleG a pinion I adapted to slide in a groove for the purpose of trainingthe gun barrel. rIhe elevation of the gun barrel is effected in thismodification by rolling the pinion over a toothed are P carried by acollar 10 which can be fixed in place on the gun barrel in two positions180 degrees apart, as shown respectively in Figs. 9 and 10. Clampingapparatus similar to that shown in the preceding gures is provided forthe purpose of fixing the gun barrel inany desired position ofelevation.

In the modification shown in Figs. 11 and 12 the forward support of thegun barrel is constitu-ted by two toothed arcs Q, carried by a circularsoleplate q which is adapted to turn in a forward anchoring bedplate B.Inl this modifica-tion the ball and socket joint C is movable in a slideblock S working in an arc-shaped guide rI mounted on the spadeplatformD. i' rIhe gun barrel is trained by shifting the slide block Sin its arc-shaped guide by means of a rack and pinion gear actuated by alever andV ratchet as shown.

The gun barrel is elevated by causing two pinions U to roll over thetoothed arcs Q. These pinions U are carried by a shaft a journaled in acollar V carried by the gun barrel.

As shown in Fig. 3, when the forward support consists of a train ofwheels, its bulk may be reduced by shifting the said wheels along theaxle, for transport purposes or for bringing the gun into firingposition in `the trenches.

It is to be understood that the details of the gun, such as thebreech'mechanism, the firing mechanism, the sighting and aiming devices,the constructional details of the spade, platform, etc., may be variedat will.

What I claim is z* l. In a light artillery gun, the combination, withthe gun barrel, of a rear appendix fixed thereto, an anchoring devicesuch as a spade platform, and a universal joint between said rearappendix and said anchoring device saidljoint members being pivoted tosaid appendix by means of a longitudinal axle and journaled on a fixedtransverse axle on said anchoring device and comprising a slide blockcapable 0f transverse movement on said anchoring device, whereby the gunbarrel may be elevated and trained by direct turning of the gun barrelon said universal joint relatively to said anchoring device throughwhich latter the resultant forces generated by the firing willnecessarily pass.

2. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of arear appendix fixed thereto, an anchoring device such as a spadeplatform movable relatively to the appendix and provided with a barwhich may serve as a hand bar when the anchoring device is raised fortransport, and a universal joint between said rear appendix and saidanchoring device, whereby the gun barrel may be elevated and trained bydirect turning of the gun barrel on said universal joint relatively tosaid anchoring device through which latter the resultant forcesgenerated by the firing will necessarily pass.

3. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of arear appendix fixed thereto, an anchoring device such as a spadeplatform, a universal joint between said rear appendix and saidanchoring device, whereby the gun barrel may be elevated and trained bydirect turning of the gun barrel on said universal joint relatively tosaid anchoring device through which latter the resultant forcesgenerated by the firing will necessarily pass, a forward support for thegun barrel consisting of a plurality of wheels with a common axle,manual operating means on said axle, a pinion or roller slidably mountedon said axle and engaging a rack or rolling track on the gun barrel, anda clamping apparatus mounted on said axle for fixing the gun barrel inany desired position of elevation.

4. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of arear appendix fixed thereto, an anchoring device such as a spadeplatform, a universal joint between said rear appendix and saidanchoring device, whereby the gun barrel may be elevated and trained bydirect turning of the gun barrel on said universal joint relatively tosaid anchoring device through which latter the resultant forcesgenerated by the firing will necessarily pass, a forward support for thegun barrel consisting of a plurality of wheels with a common axle,manual operating means on said axle, a pinion or roller slidably mountedon said axle and engaging a rack or rolling track on the gun barrel, anda clamping apparatus mounted on said axle for fixing the gun barrel inany desired position of elevation, consisting of a U-shaped memberconstructed as a nut in which works a screw carrying a clamping jawadapted to be pressed against the gun barrel.

l5. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of arear appendix xed thereto, an anchoring device such as a spade platform,a universal joint between said rear appendix and said anchoring device,whereby the gun barrel may be elevated and trained by direct turning ofthe gun barrel on said universal joint relatively to said anchoringdevice through which latter the resultant forces generated by the firingwill necessarily pass, a forward support for the gun barrel consistingof a plurality of wheels with a common axle, manual operating means onsaid axle, a pinion or roller slidably mounted on said axle and engaginga rack or rolling track on the gun barrel, and a clamping apparatusmounted on said axle for xing the gun barrel in any desired position ofelevation, said-clamping member being journaled on said axle so as to becapable of being turned upside down when it is desired to move the gunbarrel through low angles of elevation.

6. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a forward support forthe gun comprising a plurality of wheels and a common axle, and meansfor increasing and decreasing the elevation of said gun by movement ofthe same on said universal joint.

7. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a forward support forthe gun comprising a plurality of wheels and a common axle, and meansfor increasing and decreasing the elevation of said gun by movement ofthe same on said universal joint, said means comprising coacting memberscarried by said `un and axle.

8. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a forward support forthe gun comprising a plurality of wheels and a common axle, and meansfor increasing and decreasing the elevation of said gun comprising apinion and rack, one of which is carried directly by said axle and theother of which is carried by said gun.

9. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, or ananchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a forward support forthe gun comprising a plurality of wheels and a common axle, and meansfor increasing and decreasing the elevation of said gun comprising anaxially slidable member carried by said axle and a coacting membercarried by said gun.

10. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a torward support forthe gun comprising a plurality of wheels and a common axle, means forincreasing and decreasing the elevation of said gun comprising coactingmembers carried by said gun and axle, and means for clamping said gun inits positions of adjustment.

11. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a forward support forthe gun comprising a plurality of wheels and a common axle, and meansfor increasing and decreasing the elevation of said gun comprisingcoacting members carried by said gun and axle, said last-named meansbeing so constructed as to enable adjustment of said gun throughpositions either above or below said axle.

12. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a forward support forthe gun comprising a plurality of wheels and a common axle, said wheelsbeing adjustable on said axle, and means for increasing and decreasingthe elevation of said gun by movement of the same on said universaljoint.

13. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a Iuniversal joint therebetween, a iorward support forsaid gun, and means for increasing and decreasing` the elevation of saidgun by movement of the same on said universal joint, said meanscomprising a pinion and rack carried by said support and gun.

14. In a. light artillery gun, the combination' with the gun barrel, ofan anchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a for- Wardsupportfor the gun comprising a plu-t rality of wheels and a'. common axle,means for increasing and decreasing the elevation of said gun, and meansfor clamping said gun in its positions of adjustment.

15. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of'an anchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a 'forward supportJfor said gun, and means for increasing and decreasing the elevation ofsaid gun comprising coacting means carried by said gun and support,saidlast-named means comprising a member invertible to emble adjustmentof said gun through high or low angles.

16. .In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, ofan anchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a forward supportfor the gun comprising a plurality of wheels and a common axle, andmeans for increasing and decreasing the elevation of said gun comprisingcoacting members carried by said gun and axle, said last-named meanscomprising an invertible member whereby said gun may be supported foradjustment through angles either above or below said axle.

17. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a forward support forsaid gun comprising an axle, said gun barrel being slidably mounted onsaid axle, and means for increasing and decreasing the elevation of saidgun.

18. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint between said gun barrel andanchoring device, and means to train said gun by movement of the membersof said universal joint relatively to said anchoring device.

19. In a light artillery gun, the combination wit-h the gun barrel, ofan anchoring device, a universal joint between said gun barrel andanchoring device, and means to train said gun by movement of saiduniversal joint relatively to said anchoring device, said last-namedmeans comprising intermeshing relatively movable members carried by saidjoint and anchoring device.

20. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint between said gun barrel andanchoring device, and a longitudinal axle connecting said joint to saidgun barrel.

21. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, and a universal joint between said gun barrel andanchoring device, said joint members being` connected to said gun barrelby a longitudinal axle and to said anchoring device by a transversejournal permitting relative lateral movement of the gun.

22. Ina light artillery gun, the combination with the guai barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint between said gun barrel andanchoring device, said joint members being connected to said gun barrelby a longitudinal aXle and to said anchoring device 'by a transversejournal permitting relative lateral movement of the gun, and means totrain said gun by movement of said universal joint relatively to saidanchoring device.

23. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint between said gun barrel andanchoring device, and connections between said gun barrel and anchoringdevice whereby the latter may be moved to a position wherein it willserve as a draft member.

24. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint therebetween7 a forward support forsaid gun, means for varying the elevation of said gun comprisingcoacting members carried by said support and gun, and means for trainingsaid gun comprising coacting members carried by said anchoring deviceand said universal jqint.

25. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a forward support forsaid gun, means for varying the elevation of said gun comprisingcoacting members carried by said support and gun, said last-na1ned meansbeing so constructed as to enable adjustment of said gun through high orlow angles, and means for Copies of this patent may be obtained fortraining said gun comprising coaeting mem bers carried by said anchoringdevice and said universal joint.

26. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint therebetween, a forward support forsaid gun with respect to which said gun barrel is slidable, and means tomove said universal joint with respect to said anchoring device.

27. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, and a universal joint between said gun barrel and saidanchoring device, said joint members being connected to said ancho-ringdevice by a transverse journal permitting relative lateral movement ofthe gun.

28. In a light artillery gun, the combination with the gun barrel, of ananchoring device, a universal joint between said gun barrel and saidanchoring device, said joint members being connected to said anchoringdevice by a transverse journal permitting relative lateral movement ofthe gun, and means to train said gun by movement of said universal jointrelatively to said anchoring device.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

EUGENE SCHNEIDER.

Witnesses:

CHAs. P. PREssLY, EMILE BERTRAND.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D.0.

